Season of birth and food allergy in children

Tuesday, 27 April 2010 16:04

Dr Raymond Mullins (Australian National University and Canberra University) and a team of international research collaborators have investigated whether patients with food allergy are more often born in autumn and winter than in the sunnier months of the year. Their research is based on the theory that UV-B exposure and consequent vitamin D status has a role in the development of atopic diseases.

Over one thousand patients presenting at three Boston emergency departments with food-related acute allergic reactions between the 2001 and 2006 were recruited for the study. Months of birth in patients with food allergy were compared with that of patients visiting the emergency departments for reasons other than food allergy.

Results of the study showed food allergy is more common in Boston children born in the autumn and winter seasons, and add support the hypothesis that seasonal fluctuations in sunlight and perhaps vitamin D may be involved in the development of food allergy.

Reference: Vassallo et al. 2010 Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Volume 104(4) pp. 307-313.